Hmm... Atlanta. Carolina. New Orleans. Tampa Bay. Mike Silver of SI says the NFC East is the toughest division in the NFL. But I'd take the teams of the NFC South any day. They have the best defenses and now the best running back in the league in Reggie Bush.
What? He's not taken a snap?
...Just wait!
Smoke another one Zennie. Last time I checked an NFL team needed a top-notch offense and special teams - not just defense - to go anywhere. Dallas' offense and defense are both going to be SICK this season (TO, Julius Jones, Jason Witten, Bledsoe, Roy Williams, Demarcus Ware...the list is endless), and the same goes for the New York football Giants (Eli, Tiki, Plax and Strahan and crew). Even Philly (Donte Stallworth) and Washington (TJ Duckett, Brandon Lloyd, Randel-El, Archuleta) made enough decent off-season acquisitions to contend.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the South is not rising. Aside from Carolina, there's nothing there. Atlanta? Come on. Finneran is out, and I'm sorry, but Jenkins, Roddy White and Ashely Lelie are career No. 3 WRs at best. Does it really matter, though? History has shown that Mike Vick can't throw the ball anyway. What else? They dealt away one of their best offensive weapons in Duckett, and on D all they have is John Abrahams, who by season's end will be wishing he stayed in New York. Bottom line: all opposing Ds will have to do is key on Vick and they will be successful.
Who's next, Tampa Bay? Two words: Chris Simms. If he steps up, they might have a chance. But that's a big if, and I don't see it happening. They do have the Carnell Williams, but if team's don't respect the pass, how effective can he be? And TB's defense is getting old and slow and it's living on past reputation.
Which brings me to New Orleans. A new QB coming off major reconstructive surgery is a HUGE question mark. They gave away a talented 1,000-yard WR in Stallworth and only really have Joe "Torn Hammy" Horn as a deep threat. That leaves us with Deuce McAllister, who is a good back and looked strong in preseason, but is coming of ACL surgery - not good for your No. 1 back. So you think the 'Aints are going to ride a rookie with a suspect O line to the promised land? Think again, 'cause it ain't gonna happen.
Well, I'll smoke one -- in honor of your post!
ReplyDeleteBut I disagree, as Ashley Lelie's just the tonic the Falcons need with his speed -- and something to prove. Tampa Bay's got Chris Simms with another year in Gruden's offense -- then there is the Tampa defense.
Also -- yep. Carolina's the Super Bowl favorite.